U.S. patent number 9,092,196 [Application Number 13/842,457] was granted by the patent office on 2015-07-28 for multi-panel display apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Samsung Display Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Samsung Display Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Byoungho Cheong, Hyeonggyu Jang, Moongyu Lee, Byung Han Yoo.
United States Patent |
9,092,196 |
Yoo , et al. |
July 28, 2015 |
Multi-panel display apparatus
Abstract
A display apparatus includes a first display panel. The first
display panel includes a first display area and a first non-display
area. The first display area includes a first pixel part and a
second pixel part. The second pixel part is configured to display a
first image. The display apparatus further includes a second
display panel. The second display panel includes a second display
area and a second non-display area. The second display area
including a third pixel part and a fourth pixel part. The fourth
pixel part is configured to display a second image. The display
apparatus further includes an optical member. The optical member
includes a first set of optical units and a second set of optical
units. The first set of optical units is connected to the second
set of optical units. The first set of optical units is connected
to the second pixel part for displaying a third image, the third
image corresponding to the first image. The second set of optical
units is connected to the fourth pixel part for displaying a fourth
image, the fourth image corresponding to the second image.
Inventors: |
Yoo; Byung Han (Seoul,
KR), Lee; Moongyu (Suwon-si, KR), Jang;
Hyeonggyu (Busan, KR), Cheong; Byoungho
(Yongin-si, KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Display Co., Ltd. |
Yongin, Gyeonggi-Do |
N/A |
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
(KR)
|
Family
ID: |
50772803 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/842,457 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140145910 A1 |
May 29, 2014 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
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Nov 28, 2012 [KR] |
|
|
10-2012-0136330 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
1/1641 (20130101); G02F 1/133524 (20130101); G06F
3/1446 (20130101); G02F 1/13336 (20130101); G02F
1/133562 (20210101); G09G 2300/026 (20130101); G09G
2370/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
1/16 (20060101); G06F 3/14 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2001-134203 |
|
May 2001 |
|
JP |
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2002-229485 |
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Aug 2002 |
|
JP |
|
10-2001-0082824 |
|
Aug 2001 |
|
KR |
|
10-2003-0088835 |
|
Nov 2003 |
|
KR |
|
10-2004-0050433 |
|
Jun 2004 |
|
KR |
|
10-2009-0089727 |
|
Aug 2009 |
|
KR |
|
Primary Examiner: Haley; Joseph
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Innovation Counsel LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display apparatus comprising: a first display panel including
a first display area and a first non-display area, the first
display area including a first pixel part and a second pixel part,
the second pixel part being configured to display a first image; a
second display panel including a second display area and a second
non-display area, the second display area including a third pixel
part and a fourth pixel part, the fourth pixel part being
configured to display a second image; and an optical member
including a first set of optical units and a second set of optical
units, the first set of optical units being connected to the second
set of optical units, the first set of optical units being
connected to the second pixel part for displaying a third image,
the third image corresponding to the first image, the second set of
optical units being connected to the fourth pixel part for
displaying a fourth image, the fourth image corresponding to the
second image, wherein the first pixel part includes a first
plurality of pixels, wherein the second pixel part includes a
second plurality of pixels, and wherein each pixel of the first
plurality of pixels is larger than a pixel of the second plurality
of pixels.
2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third image is a
widened version of the first image.
3. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second pixel part
includes a plurality of pixels, and wherein each optical unit of
the first set of optical units is connected to one pixel of the
plurality of pixels for displaying an image portion corresponding
to the one pixel of the plurality of pixels.
4. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second pixel part
and the fourth pixel part are disposed between the first pixel part
and the third pixel part.
5. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first non-display
area and the second non-display area are disposed between the
second pixel part and the fourth pixel part.
6. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second pixel part
is disposed between the first pixel part and the first non-display
area.
7. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first set of
optical units overlaps both the second pixel part and the first
non-display area.
8. The display area of claim 1, wherein the first set of optical
units includes a first optical unit and a second optical unit,
wherein the first optical unit is disclosed closer to the first
pixel part than the second optical unit, and wherein the first
optical unit is shorter than the second optical unit.
9. The display area of claim 8, wherein the first optical unit
overlaps the second pixel part without overlapping the first
non-display area, and wherein the second optical unit overlaps both
the second pixel part and the first non-display area.
10. The display area of claim 8, wherein the first optical unit
includes a first end surface and a second end surface, the first
end surface being substantially parallel to a display surface of
the first display area, the second end surface being disposed at a
first acute angle with respect to the display surface of the first
display area.
11. The display area of claim 10, wherein the first optical unit
further includes a reflecting surface connected to both the first
end surface and the second end surface.
12. The display area of claim 10, wherein the second optical unit
includes a third end surface and a fourth end surface, the third
end surface being substantially parallel to the display surface of
the first display area, the fourth end surface being disposed at a
second acute angle with respect to the display surface of the first
display area, and wherein the second acute angle is smaller than
the first acute angle.
13. The display area of claim 12, wherein an area of the first end
surface is equal to an area of the third end surface.
14. The display area of claim 12, wherein the second end surface is
smaller than the fourth end surface.
15. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second pixel part
includes a plurality of pixels, wherein each optical unit of the
first set of optical units includes an end surface that corresponds
to one pixel of the plurality of pixels, and wherein a size of the
end surface is substantially equal to a size of each pixel of the
plurality of pixels.
16. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first set of
optical units includes at least one of a plurality of optical
fibers and a plurality of optical sheets.
17. A display apparatus comprising: a first display panel including
a first display area and a first non-display area, the first
display area including a first pixel part and a second pixel part,
the second pixel part being configured to display a first image; a
second display panel including a second display area and a second
non-display area, the second display area including a third pixel
part and a fourth pixel part, the fourth pixel part being
configured to display a second image; and an optical member
including a first set of optical units and a second set of optical
units, the first set of optical units being connected to the second
set of optical units, the first set of optical units being
connected to the second pixel part for displaying a third image,
the third image corresponding to the first image, the second set of
optical units being connected to the fourth pixel part for
displaying a fourth image, the fourth image corresponding to the
second image, wherein the optical member is an optical fiber bundle
including a plurality of optical fibers, and wherein each of the
optical fibers includes a first end portion and a second end
portion, the first end portion being connected to the second pixel
part or the fourth pixel part, the second end portions of the
optical fibers being disposed along a curved surface.
18. The display apparatus of claim 17, wherein a space between the
optical member and the first and second non-display areas has a
semi-circular column shape or a semi-elliptical column shape.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority to and
benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0136330, filed on
Nov. 28, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display apparatus. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-panel
display apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some display apparatus applications, such as commercial image
display apparatuses installed on building rooftops, electronic
notice display apparatuses installed in a sports complexes, live
broadcast display apparatus used in concerts, etc. may require
large display sizes. In general, display devices having large
screens may be associated with several advantages, such as high
manufacturing costs and unsatisfactory image quality (which may be
caused by signal-propagation delay). For avoiding the
disadvantages, a large-scale display apparatus may be implemented
using a plurality of display panels, wherein each of the display
panels may display an image portion of a large image. Nevertheless,
the edge portions of the display panels may not be able to display
images. As a result, the displayed image portions may be
disconnected, and the displayed large image may not be
continuous.
SUMMARY
One or more embodiments of the invention may be related to a
display apparatus that may include a first display panel. The first
display panel may include a first display area and a first
non-display area. The first display area may include a first pixel
part and a second pixel part. The second pixel part may be
configured to display a first image. The display apparatus may
further include a second display panel. The second display panel
may include a second display area and a second non-display area.
The second display area may include a third pixel part and a fourth
pixel part. The fourth pixel part may be configured to display a
second image. The display apparatus may further include an optical
member. The optical member may include a first set of optical units
and a second set of optical units, the first set of optical units
being connected to the second set of optical units. The first set
of optical units may be connected to the second pixel part for
displaying a third image, wherein the third image may correspond to
the first image. The second set of optical units may be connected
to the fourth pixel part for displaying a fourth image, wherein the
fourth image may correspond to the second image. The optical member
may advantageously prevent image discontinuity and/or perceived
image distortion at (and/or near) the boundary between the first
display panel and the second display panel.
In one or more embodiments, the third image is a widened version of
the first image.
In one or more embodiments, the first pixel part includes a first
plurality of pixels, the second pixel part includes a second
plurality of pixels, and each pixel of the first plurality of
pixels is larger than a pixel of the second plurality of
pixels.
In one or more embodiments, the second pixel part includes a
plurality of pixels, and each optical unit of the first set of
optical units is connected to one pixel of the plurality of pixels
for displaying an image portion corresponding to the one pixel of
the plurality of pixels.
In one or more embodiments, the second pixel part and the fourth
pixel part are disposed between the first pixel part and the third
pixel part.
In one or more embodiments, the first non-display area and the
second non-display area are disposed between the second pixel part
and the fourth pixel part.
In one or more embodiments, the second pixel part is disposed
between the first pixel part and the first non-display area.
In one or more embodiments, the first set of optical units overlaps
both the second pixel part and the first non-display area.
In one or more embodiments, the first set of optical units includes
a first optical unit and a second optical unit, the first optical
unit is disclosed closer to the first pixel part than the second
optical unit, and the first optical unit is shorter than the second
optical unit.
In one or more embodiments, the first optical unit overlaps the
second pixel part without overlapping the first non-display area,
and the second optical unit overlaps both the second pixel part and
the first non-display area.
In one or more embodiments, the first optical unit includes a first
end surface and a second end surface, the first end surface is
substantially parallel to a display surface of the first display
area, and the second end surface is larger than the first end
surface and is disposed at a first acute angle with respect to the
display surface of the first display area.
In one or more embodiments, the first optical unit further includes
a reflecting surface connected to both the first end surface and
the second end surface.
In one or more embodiments, the second optical unit includes a
third end surface and a fourth end surface, the third end surface
is substantially parallel to the display surface of the first
display area, the fourth end surface is disposed at a second acute
angle with respect to the display surface of the first display
area, and the second acute angle is smaller than the first acute
angle.
In one or more embodiments, an area of the first end surface is
equal to an area of the third end surface.
In one or more embodiments, the second end surface is smaller than
the fourth end surface.
In one or more embodiments, the second pixel part includes a
plurality of pixels, each optical unit of the first set of optical
units includes an end surface that corresponds to one pixel of the
plurality of pixels, and a size of the end surface is substantially
equal to a size of each pixel of the plurality of pixels.
In one or more embodiments, the first set of optical units includes
at least one of a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of
optical sheets.
One or more embodiments of the invention may be related to method
for manufacturing a display apparatus. The method may include the
following steps: providing a cylinder; disposing a plurality of
optical units on the cylinder such that the plurality of optical
units conform to a curved surface of the cylinder; cutting the
plurality of optical units to form an optical member that has a
first end and a second end; attaching the first end to a first
display panel; and attaching the second end to a second display
panel. The optical member may advantageously prevent image
discontinuity and/or perceived image distortion at (and/or near)
the boundary between the first display panel and the second display
panel.
In one or more embodiments, the cutting the plurality of optical
units includes cutting the plurality of optical units along a
geometric plane that includes geometric axes of cross sections of
the cylinder and along a geometric curved surface that overlaps the
curved surface of the cylinder and is wider than the curved surface
of the cylinder.
In one or more embodiments, the method may include cutting the
cylinder along a geometric plane that includes geometric axes of
cross sections of the cylinder when cutting the plurality of
optical units along the geometric plane.
In one or more embodiments, a width of the first end is equal to a
width of a pixel part of a display area of the first display
panel.
In one or more embodiments, a surface area of the first end is
equal to a surface area of a pixel part of a display area of the
first display panel.
One or more embodiments of the invention may be related to a
multi-panel display apparatus capable of displaying a large-scale
image with satisfactory display quality.
One or more embodiments of the invention may be related to a
display apparatus that includes a plurality of display panels each
including a display area in which an image is displayed and a
non-display area disposed adjacent to at least one side of the
display area. The display apparatus may further include an optical
member that displays the image provided from a portion of the
display area on the non-display area. The optical member may
include a first end portion connected to a portion of the display
area. The optical member may further include a second end portion,
at least a portion of which may be disposed on the non-display area
between the display areas.
In one or more embodiments, each of the display areas includes a
plurality of pixels, and the optical member corresponds to a
portion of the pixels.
In one or more embodiments, each of the display areas includes a
main pixel part and a peripheral pixel part disposed between the
main pixel part and the non-display area and connected to the
optical member, and each pixel provided in the main pixel part has
an area larger than an area of each pixel provided in the
peripheral pixel part.
In one or more embodiments, the optical member is an optical fiber
bundle.
The optical fiber bundle includes a plurality of optical fibers
corresponding to the pixels of the peripheral pixel part in a
one-to-one correspondence, the second end portion of the optical
fiber bundle includes a plurality of end surfaces inclined with
respect to a geometric axis (and/or a longitudinal direction) of
the optical fibers, and each of the end surfaces has an area that
approximates or equals the area of each pixel of the main pixel
part.
In one or more embodiments, the optical member is an optical sheet
bundle that includes a stack of optical sheets each having a
(curved) plate shape. The optical sheets of the optical sheet
bundle correspond to the pixels of the peripheral pixel part, which
are arranged along the non-display area and are arranged between
the main pixel part and the non-display area.
According to embodiments of the invention, the image displayed at
(and/or near) a boundary between display panels may be prevented
from being disconnected and/or from being conspicuously distorted.
Advantageously, embodiments of the invention may enable displaying
large-scale images with satisfactory display quality using
relatively small display panels without using relatively high-cost
large display panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other advantages of the present invention will become
readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description
when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display apparatus
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken along a line I-I' indicated in
FIG. 1 and illustrating a portion of the display apparatus of FIG.
1 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I'
indicated in FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating one optical fiber of an
optical fiber bundle according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention;
FIGS. 5A to 5C are perspective views illustrating a method of
manufacturing an optical member according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an optical member
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view taken along a line I-I' indicated in
FIG. 1 and illustrating a portion of the display apparatus of FIG.
1 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I' indicated
in FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating one optical sheet of an
optical sheet bundle according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention; and
FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a display apparatus according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the specification, when an element or layer is referred to as
being "on", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it can be directly on, directly connected, or directly
coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or
layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to
as being "directly on", "directly connected to", or "directly
coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening
elements or layers (except possible environmental elements, such as
air) present. Like numbers may refer to like elements in the
specification. As used herein, the term "and/or" may include any
and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed
items.
Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to
describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first
element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could
be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section
without departing from the teachings of the present invention. The
description of an element as a "first" element may not require or
imply the presence of a second element or other elements. The terms
first, second, etc. may also be used herein to differentiate
different categories of elements. For conciseness, the terms first,
second, etc. may represent first-type (or first-category),
second-type (or second-category), etc., respectively.
Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath", "below", "lower",
"above", "upper", etc., may be used herein for ease of description
to describe one element or feature's relationship to another
element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The
spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different
orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the
orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in
the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or
"beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above"
the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" can
encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be
otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations)
and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the
invention. As used herein, the singular forms, "a", "an" and "the"
may include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise. The terms "includes" and/or "including", when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display apparatus
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. FIG.
2 is a perspective view taken along a line I-I' indicated in FIG. 1
and illustrating a portion of the display apparatus of FIG. 1
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I' indicated in
FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the display apparatus includes display
panels in which an image is displayed and an optical member OPM
disposed between the display panels and connected to the display
panels. In one or more embodiments, two display panels connected to
each other in a second direction D2. In one or more embodiments,
the number of the display panels may be greater than two. For the
convenience of explanation, the two display panels may be referred
to as a first display panel DP1 and a second display panel DP2,
respectively.
The display panels DP1 and DP2 are disposed on a same plane or on a
same curved or bent surface. The display panels DP1 and DP2 are
rigid or flexible.
Each of the display panels DP1 and DP2 may be used to display an
image. Each of the display panels DP1 and DP2 may include an
organic light emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display
panel, an electrowetting display panel, an electrophoretic display
panel, a microelectromechanical system display panel, or a plasma
display panel.
In one or more embodiments, each of the display panels DP1 and DP2
may be a liquid crystal display panel that includes a base
substrate, an opposite substrate overlapping the base substrate,
and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the base substrate and
the opposite substrate. In one or more embodiments, the base
substrate includes a plurality of pixel electrodes and a plurality
of thin film transistors connected to the pixel electrodes in a
one-to-one correspondence. Each thin film transistor of the thin
film transistors may control transmission of a driving signal
applied to a corresponding pixel electrode of the pixel electrodes.
The opposite substrate includes a common electrode that may form an
electric field in cooperation with the pixel electrodes to control
an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal
layer, for controlling the images displayed by the display
panel.
In one or more embodiments, the display panels DP1 and DP2 may be a
same kind of display panel. In one or more embodiments, the display
panels DP1 and DP2 may be different kinds of display panels. In one
or more embodiments, the size of the display panel DP1 may be equal
to the size of the display panel DP2. In one or more embodiments,
the size of the display panel DP1 may be different from the size of
the display panel DP2. In one or more embodiments, the shape of the
display panel DP1 may be different from the shape of the display
panel DP2.
The display panels DP1 and DP2 have a predetermined thickness. In
one or more embodiments, each of the display panels DP1 and DP2 has
the rectangular plate shape having a pair of long sides and a pair
of short sides, wherein each of the short sides is shorter than
each of the long sides. A direction in which the long sides extend
may be referred to as a first direction D1, a direction in which
the short sides extend may be referred to as the second direction
D2, and a direction vertical to the directions D1 and D2, in which
the image is displayed (i.e., in which the light associated with
the image is transmitted), may be referred to as a third direction
D3.
The display panels DP1 and DP2 may be disposed adjacent to each
other in the second direction D2 such that side surfaces of the
display panels DP1 and DP2 may contact each other. In one or more
embodiment, the display panels DP1 and DP2 may directly contact
each other such that no space (or gap) exists between the display
panels DP1 and DP2. In one or more embodiments, the display panels
DP1 and DP2 are spaced apart from each other, and a spacer or a
connection member (not shown) may be disposed between the display
panels DP1 and DP2.
Each of the display panels DP1 and DP2 includes a display area DA
in which an image may be displayed and a non-display area NDA that
may not display an image. The non-display area NDA may surround the
display area DA. In one or more embodiments, the non-display area
NDA may be covered by a covering element, e.g., a top cover, a top
chassis, or a bezel. In one or more embodiments, the covering
element may have a rectangular ring shape, may cover the
non-display area NDA, and may expose the display area DA.
The display area DA includes a main pixel part MP and a peripheral
pixel part PP disposed adjacent to the main pixel part MP. The main
pixel part MP includes a plurality of main pixels MPXL; the
peripheral pixel part PP includes a plurality of peripheral pixels
PPXL. Each pixel of the pixels includes a pixel electrode and a
thin film transistor connected to the pixel electrode, and the
pixel electrode may cooperate with a corresponding portion of the
common electrode to forms an electric field in a corresponding
portion of the liquid crystal layer, thereby controlling an image
displayed by the pixel. The peripheral pixel part PP may extend in
the first direction D1 along the non-display area NDA of the
display panel. The peripheral pixel part PP of the first display
panel DP1 and the non-display panel NDA of the first display panel
DP1 may be disposed between the main pixel part MP of the first
display panel DP1 and the non-display panel NDA of the second
display panel DP2. The peripheral pixel part PP of the first
display panel DP1 may be disposed between the main pixel part MP of
the first display panel DP1 and the non-display panel NDA of the
first display panel DP1. The non-display panel NDA of the first
display panel DP1 may be disposed between the peripheral pixel part
PP of the first display panel DP1 and the non-display panel NDA of
the second display panel DP2. The peripheral pixel part PP of the
second display panel DP2 and the non-display panel NDA of the
second display panel DP2 may be disposed between the main pixel
part MP of the second display panel DP2 and the non-display panel
NDA of the first display panel DP1. The peripheral pixel part PP of
the second display panel DP2 may be disposed between the main pixel
part MP of the second display panel DP2 and the non-display panel
NDA of the second display panel DP2. The non-display panel NDA of
the second display panel DP2 may be disposed between the peripheral
pixel part PP of the second display panel DP2 and the non-display
panel NDA of the first display panel DP1. The optical member OPM is
disposed on (and overlaps) the peripheral pixel part PP and at
least a portion of the non-display area NDA. The optical member OPM
may display an image, i.e., a portion of the image displayed by the
display apparatus. In one or more embodiments, the optical member
OPM may not overlap the main pixel part MP in the third direction
D3.
In one or more embodiments, the optical member OPM includes an
optical fiber bundle that includes a plurality of optical fibers
OPF.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating one optical fiber OPF of
the optical fiber bundle according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 4, the optical fiber OPF includes a first end S1
vertically cut with respect to a geometric axis of the optical
fiber OPF (which is consistent with a direction in which the
optical fiber OPF extends) and a second end S2 obliquely cut at a
predetermined angle .theta.1 with respect to the geometric axis of
the optical fiber OPF. The first end S1 may have a cut surface (or
end surface) oriented perpendicular to the third direction D3. The
cut surface (or end surface) of the second end S2 (which may be
elliptical) may have a larger geometric axis and a larger area than
the cut surface (or end surface) of the first end S1 (which may be
circular). Accordingly, when the image having a first area is
provided to the first end S1 of the optical fiber OPF, the image
having a second area wider than the first area is displayed through
the second end S2 of the optical fiber OPF.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 again, the first end S1 of the optical
fiber OPF is (directly) connected to a peripheral pixel part PP of
a display area DA; analogously, the first ends S1 of other optical
fibers OPF of the optical fiber bundle are connected to a
peripheral pixel part of a display area DA. In one or more
embodiments, the first end of a portion of the optical fiber
bundle, which includes the first ends S1 of a first set of optical
fibers OPF, e.g., a left half of the optical fiber bundle
illustrated in FIG. 3, is (directly or through an adhesive)
connected to the peripheral pixel part PP of the first display
panel DP1; the first end of a remaining portion of the optical
fiber bundle, which includes the first ends S1 of a second set of
optical fibers OPF, e.g., a right half of the optical fiber bundle
illustrated in FIG. 3, is connected to the peripheral pixel part PP
of the second display panel DP2. The first set of optical fibers
OPF of the optical fiber bundle may protrude from the first display
panel DP1; the second set of optical fibers OPF of the optical
fiber bundle may protrude from the second display panel DP2. In one
or more embodiments, the optical fibers OPF may correspond to the
peripheral pixels PPXL of the peripheral pixel part PP in a
one-to-one correspondence; i.e., each of the optical fibers OPF may
display an image displayed by one peripheral pixel PPXL.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, an adhesive is
provided between the optical fibers OPF of the optical fiber bundle
to prevent the optical fibers OPF from moving.
In each of the display panels DP1 and DP2, the optical fiber bundle
is distributed on (and overlaps) the peripheral pixel part PP and
the non-display area NDA. In one or more embodiments, the first
ends S1 of the first set of optical fibers OPF of the optical fiber
bundle may be substantially vertically connected to the peripheral
pixel part PP of the first display panel DP1, and the second ends
S2 of the first set of optical fibers OPF of the optical fiber
bundle may be distributed on (and may overlap) the peripheral pixel
part PP of the first display panel DP1 and the non-display area NDA
of the first display panel DP1, which is disposed adjacent to the
second display panel DP2. The first ends S1 of the second set of
optical fibers OPF of the optical fiber bundle may be substantially
vertically connected to the peripheral pixel part PP of the second
display panel DP2, and the second ends S2 of the second set of
optical fibers OPF of the optical fiber bundle may be distributed
on (and may overlap) the peripheral pixel part PP of the second
display panel DP2 and the non-display area NDA of the second
display panel DP2, which is disposed adjacent to the first display
panel DP1. In one or more embodiments, the first set of optical
fibers OPF of the optical fiber bundle, which overlaps the
non-display area NDA of the first display panel DP1 in the third
direction D3, and the second set of optical fibers OPF of the
optical fiber bundle, which overlaps the non-display area NDA of
the second display panel DP2 in the third direction D3, may be
symmetrical with each other with respect to a midpoint between the
first display panel DP1 and the second display panel DP2. The first
set of optical fibers may include a first optical fiber and a
second optical fiber. The first optical fiber may be disposed
closer to the main pixel part MP of the first display panel DP1
than the second optical fiber and may be shorter than the second
optical fiber. The first cut surface of the first optical fiber may
be as large as the first cut surface of the second optical fiber;
the second cut surface of the first optical fiber may be smaller
than the second cut surface of the second optical fiber. The first
optical fiber may overlap the peripheral pixel part PP of the first
display panel DP1 without overlapping the non-display area NDA of
the first display panel DP1 in the third direction D3; the second
optical fiber may overlap both the peripheral pixel part PP of the
first display panel DP1 and the non-display area NDA of the first
display panel DP1 in the third direction D3. The second set of
optical fibers may include a third optical fiber and a fourth
optical fiber. The third optical fiber may be disposed closer to
the main pixel part MP of the second display panel DP2 than the
fourth optical fiber and may be shorter than the fourth optical
fiber. The second optical fiber and the fourth optical fiber may be
disposed between the first optical fiber and the third optical
fiber.
The optical fiber bundle may be spaced from the non-display areas
NDA of the display panels DP1 and DP2. In one or more embodiments,
a space between the optical fiber bundle and the non-display areas
NDA of the display panels DP1 and DP2 is empty. In one or more
embodiments, a support member may be provided in the space between
the optical fiber bundle and the non-display areas NDA to stably
support the optical fiber bundle. The support member may have a
semi-circular column shape or a semi-elliptical column shape.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, a width of the
peripheral pixel part PP of the first display panel DP1 in the
second direction D2 is referred to as a first width W1, a combined
width of the peripheral pixel part PP of the first display panel
DP1 and the non-display area NDA of the first display panel DP1 in
the second direction D2 is referred to as a second width W2, the
combined cross section of the first ends S1 of the first set of
optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle connected to the first
display panel DP1 has an area corresponding to the first width W1,
and the combined cross section of the second ends S2 of the first
set of optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle connected to the
first display panel DP1 has an area corresponding to the second
width W2 when projected in the third direction D3. The second set
of optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle may have an analogous
configuration mirroring the configuration of the first set of
optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle.
Each of the cut surfaces of the second ends S2 of the optical
fibers of the optical fiber bundle may represent one pixel to
display an image portion in the third direction D3. In one or more
embodiments, the cut surfaces of the second ends S2 of the optical
fibers OPF may not have a uniform area, but the area of the cut
surface of the second end S2 of an optical fiber OPF projected in
the third direction D3 may approximate or equal the area of a main
pixel MPXL of the main pixel part MP. In one or more embodiments,
the area of the cut surface of the second end S2 of each optical
fiber OPF projected in the third direction D3 may approximate or
equal the area of one main pixel MPXL of the main pixel part MP. In
one or more embodiments, each peripheral pixel PPXL of the
peripheral pixel part PP has an area smaller than an area of each
main pixel MPXL of the main pixel part MP given that the cut
surface of the first end S1of each optical fiber OPF (corresponding
to the area a peripheral pixel PPXL) may be smaller than the cut
surface of the second end S2 of the optical fiber OPF (projected in
the third direction D3 to approximate or equal the area of a main
pixel MPXL). In one or more embodiments, the areas of the cut
surfaces projected in the third direction D3 may be controlled by
inclining and/or bending the optical fibers OPF toward the
non-display area NDA from the peripheral pixel part PP and cutting
the second end S2 of each optical fiber OPF to form a cut surface
that is oblique with respect to the geometric axis (and/or the
extension direction) of the optical fiber OPF.
In one or more embodiments, although areas of main pixels MPXL may
be different from areas of cut surfaces of some optical fibers OPF
projected in the third direction D3, and although the areas of the
cut surfaces of the second ends S2 of the optical fibers OPF
projected in the third direction D3 may not be uniform,
substantially no defects may be perceived by the viewer since the
area covered by the optical fiber bundle may be very small in
comparison with the combined area of the display panels DP1 and
DP2. In one or more embodiments, the pixel size difference caused
by the differences between the main pixel MPXL size and the
peripheral pixel PPXL size, caused by the differences between the
main pixel MPXL size and the projected areas of the cut surfaces of
the second end S2 of the optical fibers OPF, caused by the
non-uniformity of the peripheral pixel PPXL sizes, and/or caused by
the non-uniformity of the projected areas of the cut surfaces of
the second end S2 of the optical fibers OPF may be compensated by a
circuit design.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, the cut surfaces of
the second ends S2 of the optical fibers OPF may form a curved
surface that protrudes from the front surface of the display panels
DP1 and DP2 and extends between the boundary of the main pixel part
MP and the peripheral pixel part PP of the first display panel DP1
and the boundary of the main pixel part MP and the peripheral pixel
part PP of the second display panel DP2. The cut surfaces of the
second ends S2 of the optical fibers OPF disposed along the curved
surface may have different areas according to the position of the
corresponding pixels of the peripheral pixel part PP.
In one or more embodiments, the display panels DP1 and DP2 may be
synchronized with each other to collectively display one image. In
one or more embodiments, the display panels DP1 and DP2 may
respectively display different images.
Embodiments of the invention may advantageously prevent the image
displayed by the display panels DP1 and DP2 from being disconnected
and/or from being substantially distorted at (or near) the boundary
between the display panels DP1 and DP2. Since the non-display areas
NDA between the display areas DA of the display panels DP1 and DP2
are covered by the cut surfaces of the second ends S2 of the
optical fibers OPF to display images, the non-display areas NDA may
not be perceived by the viewer, and thus the image displayed in
each display panel is connected to the image displayed in an
adjacent display panel.
FIGS. 5A to 5C are perspective views illustrating a method of
manufacturing the optical member, i.e., the optical fiber bundle,
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 5A, a cylinder CL is prepared to manufacture the
optical fiber bundle. The cylinder CL has a cross section that is
of a circular shape or an elliptical shape and is vertical to a
longitudinal geometric axis of the cylinder CL. In one or more
embodiments, the cross section of the cylinder CL has the circular
shape, and the diameter of the circular shape is substantially
equal to a sum of the widths of the non-display areas NDA between
the display area DA of the first display panel DP1 and the display
area DA of the second display panel DP2. In one or more
embodiments, the radius of the circular shape is substantially
equal to the width of a non-display area NDA. In one or more
embodiments, the cross section of the cylinder CL has the
elliptical shape, and the length of a long axis or short axis of
the elliptical shape is substantially equal to the sum of the
widths of the non-display areas NDA between the display area DA of
the first display panel DP1 and the display area DA of the second
display panel DP2. In one or more embodiments, the length of the
long axis or short axis of the elliptical shape is substantially
equal to the width of a non-display area NDA.
Optical fibers OPF are wound around the cylinder CL to form an
optical fiber bundle that has a thickness corresponding to the
first width W1, i.e., the width of the peripheral pixel part PP of
a display panel. The cylinder CL wound with the optical fiber
bundle may become an enlarged cylinder having a radius that is
equal to the second width W2, i.e., the sum of the width of a
peripheral pixel area PP and the width of a non-display area
NDA.
As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the optical fiber bundle is cut to have
a shape suitable for connection with the display panels DP1 and
DP2. In one or more embodiments, the cylinder CL may be cut
together with the optical fiber bundle.
The optical fiber bundle is cut to have the cut surface of the
first end S1of each optical fiber OPF oriented vertical to the
geometric axis of the optical fiber OPF and/or vertical to the
direction in which the optical fiber OPF extends. In one or more
embodiments, the cross section of the cylinder CL has the circular
shape, and the cylinder CL and the optical fiber bundle are cut
along the geometric axis of the cylinder CL (and/or the extension
direction of the cylinder CL) to allow the cutting line to pass
through a center of the circular shape and/or to coincide a
diameter of the circular shape. In one or more embodiments, the
cross section of the cylinder CL has the elliptical shape, the
cylinder CL and the optical fiber bundle are cut along the
geometric axis of the cylinder CL (and/or the extension direction
of the cylinder CL) to allow the cutting line to coincide with the
long axis or short axis of the cross section of the cylinder CL,
which is set to have a length equal to the width of the non-display
area NDA.
Referring to FIG. 5C, the optical fiber bundle is cut to have the
cut surface of the second end S2 of each optical fiber OPF inclined
with respect to the geometric axis of the optical fiber OPF and/or
with respect to the extension direction of the optical fiber
OPF.
In one or more embodiments, the cross section of the cylinder CL
has the circular shape, and the optical fiber bundle may be cut
such that the cut surfaces of the second end S2 of the optical
fibers OPF may form a half an (imaginary) elliptical cylinder that
has an elliptical cross section perpendicular to a geometric axis
of the elliptical cylinder and/or an extension direction of the
elliptical cylinder. The long axis of the elliptical cross section
may coincide with a diameter (or a maximum width) of the pre-cut
optical fiber bundle and/or may coincide with the cutting line that
passes through the center of a circular cross section of the
cylinder CL; the short axis of the elliptical cross section may
coincide with the diameter of the circular cross section of the
cylinder CL. In one or more embodiments, the cross section of the
cylinder CL has the elliptical shape, the cylinder CL may be
referred to as a first elliptical cylinder CL that has a first
elliptical cross section, and the optical fiber bundle may be cut
such that the cut surfaces of the second end S2 of the optical
fibers OPF may form a half a second elliptical cylinder (which is
an imaginary elliptical cylinder) that has a second elliptical
cross section perpendicular to a geometric axis of the second
elliptical cylinder and/or an extension direction of the second
elliptical cylinder. The long axis of the second elliptical cross
section may coincide with a first axis (or a maximum width) of the
pre-cut optical fiber bundle and/or may coincide with the cutting
line that passes through the center of a first elliptical cross
section of the first elliptical cylinder CL; the short axis of the
elliptical cross section may coincide with a second axis of the
first elliptical cross section of the first elliptical cylinder
CL.
After the cutting, the resulted optical fiber bundle may be
attached to the peripheral pixel part PP of each of the display
panels DP1 and DP2. In one or more embodiments, the optical fiber
bundle may be attached to the peripheral pixel part PP after the
cylinder CL has been removed. In one or more embodiments, the
optical fiber bundle may be attached to the peripheral pixel part
PP together with the cylinder CL, and the cylinder CL may be used
as the support member to support the optical fiber bundle.
In one or more embodiment of the invention, a transparent adhesive
is disposed between the upper surface of the peripheral pixel part
PP of each of the display panels DP1 and DP2 and the cut surfaces
of the first ends S1of the optical fibers OPF of the optical fiber
bundle so as to attach the optical fiber bundle to the peripheral
pixel part PP. In one or more embodiments, an adhesive (e.g., the
same type of transparent adhesive) is provided between the optical
fibers OPF of the optical fiber bundle to prevent the optical
fibers OPF from moving with respect to each other.
In one or more embodiments, the optical member may be formed by
cutting optical fibers or cutting an optical fiber bundle that may
be attached to a body or a column that may have a non-circular and
non-elliptical cross section, such a column having a semicircular
cross section or a column having a semielliptical cross section.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an optical member
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 6, the inclined angles of the optical fiber
bundle, the inclined angles of the cut surfaces of the second ends
of the optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle may be configured
according particular embodiments, and the area of the cut surfaces
of the second ends of the optical fibers of the optical fiber
bundle may be configured according particular embodiments. The size
of each of the pixels perceived by the viewer through the optical
fiber bundle may substantially approximate or equal the size of a
main pixel MPXL of the main pixel part MP. In one or more
embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the cut surface of the first
end S1of an optical fiber OPF disposed at a boundary between a main
pixel part MP and a peripheral pixel part PP of a same display
panel may be spaced from the cut surface of the second end S2 of
the optical fiber OPF. In one or more embodiments, as illustrated
in FIG. 3, the cut surface of the first end S1of an optical fiber
OPF disposed at a boundary between a main pixel part MP and a
peripheral pixel part PP of a same display panel may be
substantially directly connected to the cut surface of the second
end S2 of the optical fiber OPF.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view taken along a line I-I' indicated in
FIG. 1 and illustrating a portion of the display apparatus of FIG.
1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I' indicated
in FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the same reference numerals may denote
the same elements and/or analogous elements illustrated in FIGS. 2
to 4. Detailed descriptions of the same elements and/or analogous
elements may be omitted.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, the display apparatus includes a
first display panel DP1, a second display panel DP2, and an optical
member OPM. Each of the display panels DP1 and DP2 includes a
display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The display area DA
includes a main pixel part MP, which includes main pixels MPXL, and
a peripheral pixel part PP, which includes peripheral pixels
PPXL.
In tone or more embodiments, the optical member OPM includes an
optical sheet bundle. The optical sheet bundle may include a stack
of optical sheets OPS each having a plate shape. The optical sheets
OPS may extend in a direction in which the non-display area NDA
extends, i.e., the first direction D1.
Each optical sheet OPS of the optical sheet bundle may include one
or more (coated) reflecting surfaces, e.g., an inner surface and an
outer surface disposed farther from the non-display areas NDS than
the inner surface, to continuously reflect the image (or light)
incident into the optical sheet OPS and may include a substantially
transparent surface for displaying the image (i.e., transmitting
the light) through the substantially transparent surface. The
optical sheet bundle may protrude from the display panels DP1 and
DP2 and the image is displayed in the third direction D3.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating one optical sheet of the
optical sheet bundle according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention.
Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the optical sheet OPS may extend in
the first direction D1. As illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 3, a
cross section of the optical sheet OPS perpendicular to the first
direction D1 may have a shape analogous to a cross section of an
optical fiber OPF perpendicular to the first direction D1. A first
end S1 of the optical sheet OPS may have a cut surface (or end
surface) that is substantially perpendicular to a tangent at a
junction of the cut surface and an outer surface of the optical
sheet OPS. A second end S2 of the optical sheet OPS may have an
inclined cut surface (or inclined end surface) that is inclined at
an angle .theta.2 with respect to a tangent at a junction of the
inclined cut surface and an outer surface of the optical sheet OPS.
The inclined cut surface of the second end S2 has a width wider
than a width of the cut surface of the first end S1. The inclined
cut surface of the second end may be a substantially transparent
surface for displaying an image. In one or more embodiments, an
image having a first area may be provided to the cut surfaces of
the first ends S1 of the optical sheets OPS of the optical sheet
bundle, and the image may be enlarged (to have a second area larger
than the first area) and displayed at the inclined cut surfaces of
the second ends S2 of the optical sheets OPS of the optical sheet
bundle.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, the cut surfaces (or end surfaces)
of the first end S1 of the optical sheets OPS of the optical sheet
bundle may be (substantially directly or through an adhesive)
connected to the peripheral pixel part PP of the display area DA of
each of the display panels DP1 and DP2. In one or more embodiments,
the first end of a portion of the optical sheet bundle, which
includes the first ends S1 of a first set of optical sheets OPS,
e.g., a left half of the optical fiber bundle illustrated in FIG.
8, is connected to the peripheral pixel part PP of the first
display panel DP1; the first end of a remaining portion of the
optical sheet bundle, which includes the first ends S1 of a second
set of optical sheets OPS, e.g., a right half of the optical fiber
bundle illustrated in FIG. 8, is connected to the peripheral pixel
part PP of the second display panel DP2. In one or more
embodiments, the optical sheets OPS may correspond to the
peripheral pixels PPXL of the peripheral display part PP in a
one-to-one correspondence; i.e., each of the optical sheet OPS may
display an image displayed by one peripheral pixel PPXL. In one or
more embodiments, each of the peripheral pixel parts PPXL may
extend in the first direction D1.
The optical sheet bundle is distributed on (and overlaps) the
peripheral pixel part PP and the non-display area NDA. In one or
more embodiments, the first ends S1 of the first set of optical
sheets OPS of the optical sheet bundle may be substantially
vertically connected to the peripheral pixel part PP of the first
display panel DP1, and the second ends S2 of the first set of
optical sheets OPS of the optical sheet bundle may be distributed
on (and may overlap) the peripheral pixel part PP of the first
display panel DP1 and the non-display area NDA of the first display
panel DP1, which is disposed adjacent to the second display panel
DP2. The first ends S1 of the second set of optical sheets OPS of
the optical sheet bundle may be substantially vertically connected
to the peripheral pixel part PP of the second display panel DP2,
and the second ends S2 of the second set of optical sheets OPS of
the optical sheet bundle may be distributed on (and may overlap)
the peripheral pixel part PP of the second display panel DP2 and
the non-display area NDA of the second display panel DP2, which is
disposed adjacent to the first display panel DP1. In one or more
embodiments, the first set of optical sheets OPS of the optical
sheet bundle, which overlaps the non-display area NDA of the first
display panel DP1 in the third direction D3, and the second set of
optical sheets OPS of the optical sheet bundle, which overlaps the
non-display area NDA of the second display panel DP2 in the third
direction D3, may be symmetrical with each other with respect to a
midpoint between the first display panel DP1 and the second display
panel DP2. The first set of optical sheets may include a first
optical sheet and a second optical sheet. The first optical sheet
may be disposed closer to the main pixel part MP of the first
display panel DP1 than the second optical sheet and may be shorter
than the second optical sheet. The cut surface of the first end S1
of the first optical sheet may be as large as the cut surface of
the first end S1 of the second optical sheet; the inclined cut
surface of the second end S2 of the first optical sheet may be
smaller than the inclined cut surface of the second end S2 of the
second optical sheet. The first optical sheet may overlap the
peripheral pixel part PP of the first display panel DP1 without
overlapping the non-display area NDA of the first display panel DP1
in the third direction D3; the second optical sheet may overlap
both the peripheral pixel part PP of the first display panel DP1
and the non-display area NDA of the first display panel DP1 in the
third direction D3. The second set of optical sheets may include a
third optical sheet and a fourth optical sheet. The third optical
sheet may be disposed closer to the main pixel part MP of the
second display panel DP2 than the fourth optical sheet and may be
shorter than the fourth optical sheet. The second optical sheet and
the fourth optical sheet may be disposed between the first optical
sheet and the third optical sheet.
The optical sheet bundle may be spaced from the non-display areas
NDA of the display panels DP1 and DP2. In the one or more
embodiments, a space between the optical sheet bundle and the
non-display areas NDA of the display panels DP1 and DP2 is empty.
In one or more embodiments, a support member may be provided in the
space between the optical sheet bundle and the non-display areas
NDA to stably support the optical sheet bundle. The support member
may have a semi-circular column shape or a semi-elliptical column
shape.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, a width of the
peripheral pixel part PP of the first display panel DP1 in the
second direction D2 is referred to as a first width W1, a combined
width of the peripheral pixel part PP of the first display panel
DP1 and the non-display area NDA of the first display panel DP1 in
the second direction D2 is referred to as a second width W2, the
combined cross section of the first ends S1 of the first set of
optical sheets of the optical sheet bundle connected to the first
display panel DP1 has an area corresponding to the first width W1,
and the combined cross section of the second ends S2 of the first
set of optical sheets of the optical sheet bundle connected to the
first display panel DP1 has an area corresponding to the second
width W2 when projected in the third direction D3. The second set
of optical sheets of the optical sheet bundle may have an analogous
configuration mirroring the configuration of the first set of
optical sheets of the optical sheet bundle.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, the inclined cut
surfaces of the second ends S2 of the optical sheets OPS may form a
curved surface that protrudes from the front surface of the display
panels DP1 and DP2 and extends between the boundary of the main
pixel part MP and the peripheral pixel part PP of the first display
panel DP1 and the boundary of the main pixel part MP and the
peripheral pixel part PP of the second display panel DP2. The cut
surfaces of the second ends S2 of the optical sheets OPS disposed
along the curved surface may have different areas according to the
corresponding position of the pixels of the peripheral pixel part
PP.
In one or more embodiments, the display panels DP1 and DP2 may be
synchronized with each other to collectively display one image. In
one or more embodiments, the first and second display panels DP1
and DP2 may respectively display different images.
Embodiments of the invention may advantageously prevent the image
displayed by the display panels DP1 and DP2 from being disconnected
and/or from being substantially distorted at (or near) the boundary
between the display panels DP1 and DP2. Since the non-display areas
NDA between the display areas DA of the display panels DP1 and DP2
are covered by the cut surfaces of the second ends S2 of the
optical sheets OPS to display images, the non-display areas NDA may
not be perceived by the viewer, and thus the image displayed in
each display panel is connected to the image displayed in an
adjacent display panel.
The method of manufacturing the optical sheet bundle may be
substantially as analogous to the method of manufacturing the
optical fiber bundle described with reference to FIGS. 5A to
5C.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, a transparent adhesive
is disposed between the upper surface of the peripheral pixel part
PP of each of the display panels DP1 and DP2 and the cut surfaces
of the first ends S1 of the optical sheets OPS of the optical sheet
bundle so as to attach the optical sheet bundle to the peripheral
pixel part PP. In one or more embodiments, an adhesive (e.g., the
same type of transparent adhesive) is provided between the optical
sheets OPS of the optical sheet bundle to prevent the optical
sheets OPS from moving with respect to each other.
The optical sheet bundle is attached to the peripheral pixel part
PP of each of the display panels DP1 and DP2.
FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a display apparatus according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 10, the display apparatus includes a plurality of
display panels, e.g., display panels DP1, DP2, DP3, and DP4, which
are arranged in a matrix form of two rows by two columns. Each of
the display panels DP1, DP2, DP3, and DP4 includes a display area
DA and a non-display area NDA, and an optical member OPM is
disposed between each pair of the display panels DP1, DP2, DP3, and
DP4. The optical member OPM is connected to a portion of the
display panel DA of each of the display panels and covers the
non-display areas NDA between the display areas of each pair of the
display panels DP1, DP2, DP3, and DP4.
In one or more embodiments, the display panels may be arranged in
one or more of various matrix forms. For instance, the display
panels DP1, DP2, DP3, and DP4 may be arranged in one row by four
columns or four rows by one column. In one or more embodiments,
nine display panels may be provided and may be arranged in three
rows by three columns. In one more embodiments, immediately
neighboring display panels of the display panels may be connected
to optical members for displaying images associated with peripheral
pixel parts.
As can be appreciated from the foregoing description, embodiments
of the invention may prevent images displayed at (and/or near)
boundaries of display panels from being disconnected and/or from
being substantially distorted. Advantageously, large-scale images
may be display with substantially satisfactory display quality
using multiple display panels without requiring a high-cost large
display panel.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been
described, it is understood that the present invention should not
be limited to these embodiments. Various changes and modifications
can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within the spirit
and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *